Moonlight Calls (Demon's Call Series Book 1) (39 page)

The vampires
were absolutely stunning, with glittering jewels and expensive clothes glinting
everywhere in the dull light.  I noticed that even the few human pets who had
been allowed to come were beautiful.  They hovered on the outskirts of the
festivities, looking pale and demure as they waited on the pleasure of their
vampire companions.  I stifled a shudder at the thought of how easy it would be
to become one of them- to be bled constantly and moved about like a chess
piece, willing to do anything for the ecstasy of being bitten.

I fingered the
huge, blood red ruby that hung between my breasts, a gift from Dominic when he
had found out that I was to accompany Ailis tonight.  I didn’t have much
experience with these things, but I thought it was a real gemstone.  I had a
feeling the necklace was his way of apologizing for the scene in the church. 
Either that or he was trying to win me with expensive things.  It would never
happen.  I wouldn’t have my will bound to anyone.  If he was foolish enough to
think that jewelry would buy me, then I was just going to sit back and enjoy
the loot.  His loss.  I ran my fingers over the bumpy surface, where a family
crest was etched into the gem.  It was probably a valuable antique, someone’s
family heirloom.  Making a face at myself, I resolved to return the necklace
first thing in the morning.

I followed Ailis
around the car as a valet took it away.  We ascended the stairs together,
drawing interested glances from the people mingling outside.  Her pale, slender
beauty was a sharp contrast to my dark curves.  Where I was dressed in red and
black, she wore a white sheath dress that made her look like a virginal ice
queen.

We made our way
into the crowded coven house and I paused to catch my breath.  The wash of
auras around me was intoxicating.  This felt different from other occasions-
more mellow- and a warm buzz started in me as I inhaled.  They should market this. 
Who needed prescription drugs when there were vampires?  Of course, you would
have to be a freak of nature like me to appreciate it.  A normal human probably
wouldn’t notice.  All the stress left my body as I exhaled and followed Ailis.

Inside, guests
mingled freely, drinking champagne, flirting, or dancing sensuously.  I averted
my eyes as I saw several shadowy alcoves occupied by couples or groups in
various stages of feeding or lovemaking.  My skin rippled.  Vampires really
knew how to party.

I drew curious
glances from the vampires we passed, and I realized they were trying to figure
out who I was.  I carried myself too confidently to be just any ordinary human
follow, and well dressed vamps began to congratulate Ailis on her pet as we
walked by.  I sidled closer to Ailis, seeking security when a tall, thin man
asked if he could have a taste.

I followed her
blindly.  I knew Argenou wouldn’t want to see us tonight.  He undoubtedly had
bigger fish to fry, being the head honcho and all.  We found an unoccupied
corner and turned to people watch.  I had to admit, the sight was interesting. 
I felt like I had stepped into an old-fashioned romance novel, with the
addition of blood- letting and sex, that is.

I turned with a
start when a familiar silky baritone spoke in my ear.  “You look delightful
tonight.”  Dominic’s breath was warm on my neck and I smiled automatically in
response.  Stepping back, I admired him openly.  He was breathtaking in a dark
suit with a red silk shirt, open at the throat.  His blond curls glinted under
the lights and I tried in vain to reign in my emotions.  I hated that he could
affect me that way, and he knew it.

Dominic handed
me a glass of champagne before introducing the man who waited patiently behind
him.  “Mya, this is my good friend Shen,” he said, smiling as if he knew a
secret.  “Shen, this is Mya.  I believe you two will get on very well.”

As Dominic
stepped aside, I got a good look at his friend.  He was tall and slender with
fine, silky black hair that just brushed his collar.  His features had a
slightly Asian cast to them, with a lean jaw and high cheekbones.  His bright
blue eyes belied his mixed heritage, and I stared into them even though I knew
it was asking for trouble.

Shen stepped
forward and bowed formally over my hand while I gawked.  His lips brushed the
back of my hand and I felt a stiffening in his posture.  He dropped my hand as
he stood and I took a hasty step backwards.  His eyes had turned to silver and
his sharp teeth gleamed in the candlelight before he quickly dropped his gaze
to the floor to hide his hunger.

I shot a
panicked gaze to Dominic who appeared to be stifling a laugh.  He placed a hand
on Shen’s shoulder and chuckled.  “I told you she was different,” he said
softly.  Then to me “Shen is newly made.  He is still learning control.”

The object of
our discussion lifted his head, once more in control.  “I apologize,” he said
in a soft voice.  “It won’t happen again.  It is a pleasure to meet you.”

I stifled my
anger at the way the vampire world worked.  This man was a prized possession to
his maker, and Dominic could play with his new toy all he wanted.  I smiled up
at him as I heard the nervousness in his voice.  Since he was newly made, that
meant he really was as young as he looked.  If I had to guess, I would say this
was his first time out in such a crowd.  The auras of the other vampires
pulsing around us were like a physical force.  No wonder he was having control
issues.  And how very like Dominic to test him out on me.

Dominic lifted
my hand, turning it so that his soft, chiseled lips caressed the sensitive
underside of my wrist.  “I must steal Ailis away on business.  Shen will watch
over you while we are gone.”

I jerked my hand
away when his lips lingered just a shade too long and a hint of teeth grazed my
skin.  I glanced at Ailis in question, but she only shrugged.  I couldn’t
believe they were going to leave me alone in a room full of vamps with a newbie
who couldn’t control himself as my only protection.  Then again, I could always
do my exploding vampire trick if things got out of hand.  She didn’t understand
that I didn’t want to use my powers anymore than I absolutely had to, and that
they were entirely beyond my conscious control.

I gulped my
champagne as I watched them retreat.  Shen cleared his throat nervously and I
glanced at him.  He was young.  Like a shy college freshman- a delicious
college freshman that I could do very naughty things with.  I jerked my eyes up
to meet his again, blushing as I realized that I had been very obviously
admiring his lean body.

He smiled and
offered me a hand.  “Do you want to dance?” he asked, his smooth voice
hesitant.  I glanced at the dance floor and frowned.  Couples were sweeping
around the room in some sort of ballroom dance.

“I don’t know
how to dance like that,” I said sullenly.

Shen just
laughed.  “Yeah, those of us not born in the eighteen hundreds are at a
disadvantage.”  He took my hand, nevertheless.  “Dominic taught me.  Just let
me lead you around the floor.  It’s easier than it looks.”

I sighed. 
I
didn’t
have vampire reflexes; but I found that he was right.  All I had to do was
follow where he led me.  I was stiff with tension and I forced myself to
relax.  Sensing it, Shen drew me closer so our bodies brushed as we moved.  I felt
his aura brush against me and was surprised.  I had thought it would be weaker
since he was newly turned, but it was quite strong.  It was also different from
other vampiric auras that I had felt.  His aura wasn’t dark or dominating.  It
was soft and calming- misleading in its gentleness.  It felt like the ocean or
the wind, and I was startled to realize that auras could have “flavors” like
this.

“Dominic turned
you?”  I asked hesitantly.  He had seemed affectionate toward the young man,
almost like a father…or maybe a lover?  I tried not to think about it, I really
did.  But the temptation was just too strong.

“Yes,” he said
softly.  “He turned me a few months ago.”  I felt his breath stir my hair as he
spoke over my head and I had the intense desire to look into those startling
dark blue eyes.  They had an odd angle to them, slanted like a cat’s.

He pulled back
slightly and looked down at me.  “Dominic speaks very highly of you,” he said
with a soft smile.  “I’m sorry I lost control before.”  His eyes creased in
concern.  “I didn’t mean to scare you.  It’s just that you smell different. 
It’s like your blood is calling out under your skin.”  He grinned wryly.  “I
knew you would be powerful, of course, but I didn’t know you’d smell so good. 
Dominic didn’t warn me about that.”

I studied his
eyes steadily, seeing only a slight silvery shimmer.  He was doing his best to
behave, and for a vampire only a couple of months old his control was truly
amazing.  This talk about my blood was making me uneasy, but I was interested. 
Everyone seemed to think that there was something special about it, but no one
would ever give me a straight answer about what that meant.

“Dominic has
made comments about my blood before,” I said.  “I feel like he and Ailis are
keeping something from me.”  I glanced around the room, but they were nowhere
to be seen, probably off pow-wowing with Argenou.

“Do you know why
it’s different?”  It was a shot in the dark, but I felt like he might actually
tell me if he knew.

He only shook
his dark head.  “All I know is that it is.  And for some reason, sort of-
compelling.”  He was slipping again, his eyes silvery and his teeth elongated. 
He was a beautiful man, and the promise in his eyes made my skin tingle.

I took a deep
breath to steady myself.  “Do you think you could tell if you tasted it?”  I
asked brazenly.  I don’t know what I was thinking, but for some reason I wanted
this stranger to taste my blood.  I wanted the ecstasy that I knew he could
give me, and the danger that he might lose control was even more exciting.  But
above all, he might be willing and able to explain some of the mystery
surrounding my abilities.  I had a feeling he would be more truthful than
Ailis- and far safer than Dominic, even if he was a newbie.

He drew in his
breath slowly, scenting me.  “I might be able to tell you more.”  I saw the
hunger in his eyes.  He wanted what I offered, but he was trying to resist.  “I
have to be honest with you though,” he said sadly.  “I also might not be able
to tell you anything.”

I had spent a
lot of time around vampires in the last few months.  I knew what set them off. 
I leaned in a little more closely.  “I don’t care,” I breathed softly, letting
all of my fear and anxiety come to the surface, where he could sense them.  He
saw the desire in my eyes and his hands tightened on me in a spasm of need.  I
felt guilty manipulating him this way, playing on his unstable instincts, but I
really wanted to know what they weren’t telling me.  I should be ashamed of
myself.  It was just so easy.

I saw fear in
his eyes, warring with his need.  “I can’t.  I might hurt you.  I don’t have
very good control yet.”  He dropped his head in shame.  “Dominic only lets me
feed when he’s there to pull me back.”

I trailed a hand
along his neck, twining my fingers in his silky hair.  I could feel his aura,
and more than that, I could feel some sort of connection with
him.
  I
knew that he wouldn’t hurt me.  I knew- odd as the thought was- that I could
control him.  Plus, I really liked the idea of pissing Dominic off.

“Take me
somewhere private,” I said, running a finger along his earlobe.

He shuddered and
took me by the hand.  “Are you sure?”

His voice held
hope and fear, and barely restrained hunger.  I nodded my head.  I needed to
know more about what I was.  The more I thought about it, the more I was sure
Ailis and Dominic, and even Christian, were hiding something.

Shen led me
through the patio doors and into the shadowy garden.  We found a bench
sheltered in a corner under an arbor heavy with grape vines.  Pausing, he drew
me toward him and I willingly stepped into his arms, sighing at the rush of
pleasure he brought from me, allowing myself to be brought under, just a bit.

He sat on the
bench and drew me across his lap, his long, slender fingers caressing my bare
arms, eager, but hesitant.  He settled one hand on my hip, holding tight.  The
other hand cradled my head and neck and I tilted my head, exposing my throat. 
Power was building inside me and I knew he could give me release.  “Hurry, Shen,”
I urged.  I really didn’t want Dominic and Ailis to come back and find us
missing.

He groaned
softly as he nuzzled the curling tendrils of my hair aside.  His lips brushed
my sensitive skin and my hand crept up to the back of his neck, urging him
closer.  He hesitated briefly, and then I felt his teeth slice into my neck.

The first prick
of pain disappeared immediately and I sighed against him.  He fitted me closer
to his body and I clutched at him as pleasure raced through my veins.  I was
amazed at the difference between him and Ailis.  I imagined what it would be
like to give myself over completely to these feelings.  One day I
had
to
mix this with sex.  He sucked harder and I moaned at the sensation, shocked at
the warm, tingling jolts that dove between my legs, nearly bringing me to
climax.

I was starting
to feel light headed, and I pushed against Shen’s chest.  He only clutched me
tighter.  For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t stop and fear surged over me, but
then he slowly lifted his head.  His eyes simmered in the moonlight, and his
mouth was red with my blood.  I berated myself for my foolishness.  I was going
to get myself killed one of these days.  But…if I died like this it might just
be worth it.